ISLAMABAD
The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the PTI to hold its Azadi March protest in the H-9 area of Islamabad and instructed the government to not raid the homes of or arrest PTI leaders and workers, while also ordering the immediate release of lawyers currently detained.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Ijazul Ahsan, and comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, issued the orders after hearing the Petiton filed by Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) President Mohammad Shoaib Shaheen a day earlier, seeking the removal of blockades in the capital ahead of the PTI’s march.
“While playing the role of the arbitrator, we pass the order that no raids should be conducted on the homes of PTI workers,” the Supreme Court said.
Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf opposed the court’s decision to allow the PTI to hold its protest in the designated area. “Request to hold the protest in G-9 area has already been rejected.”
SC tells attorney general to seek instructions from PM Shehbaz over PTI’s demands
Earlier, the Supreme Court asked Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf to seek directions from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over the PTI’s demands regarding its Azadi March.
PTI lawyer Babar Awan appeared on the rostrum when the hearing resumed after a short break around 3pm. He told the court that the party had asked for permission to stage the march on May 23.
Awan called on the court to issue directives to the government. He demanded that the blockades placed on roads be lifted and the arrested PTI workers be released immediately. He assured the court that the party would adhere to its directives.
Justice Ahsan remarked that there was a lack of communication and trust between the government and the PTI.
Awan told the court that Imran had formed a four-member committee for talks with the administration, comprising him, Faisal Chaudhry, Amir Kiyani and Ali Awan. He asked the court to allow the PTI to stage a protest at Srinagar Highway.
“We want to protest where the JUI-F staged a sit-in twice in the past,” he said, assuring the court that it would be peaceful and not affect routine life. He also urged the court to intervene against the tear gas shelling by the authorities on the protesters.
The apex court directed the attorney general to seek directions from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding the PTI’s demands. The AG should inform the court after an hour after seeking instructions from the PM, the court said.
Justice Ahsan said that the PTI’s demands were clear and expressed hope that parties would reach a decision within an hour.
The attorney general said the PM would soon nominate a team for talks with the PTI. “The prime minister wants political matters to be settled outside of court,” he said.
Once the hearing resumed, Justice Ahsan asked Awan how long the PTI planned to protest. The PTI counsel excused himself from answering the query, saying: “This is a political decision. Let it be decided on a political forum.”
Awan reiterated that his party’s demand was to have immediate elections as he refused to engage with the attorney general on that topic.
Justice Ahsan remarked that pre-empting protests by way of raids and arrests was an “illegal act” but also said that “the PTI won’t be allowed to close the Motorway or Faizabad [interchange].”
He said the court would issue a formal order regarding shelling and baton charge.
Meanwhile, Justice Naqvi said that “the FIRs filed under the MPO won’t fly.” At this, Justice Ahsan said that an order will also be issued about the MPO.
The Supreme Court bench expressed its displeasure at action taken by the Punjab police. “Is the police mandated to smash cars and set fire?” The additional advocate general Punjab appeared to justify police action by telling the court that “weapons were found from a home in Lahore.” “Weapons are kept in every house these days,” justice Naqvi said. “What is this weapons story being told [to the court] since this morning. Just stop with this weapons story now. Justice Ahsan said that Lahore has been turned into a “battlefield.
“What’s happening there is unfortunate,” he added.
